Batman and Spider-Man

Chapter 3

Sprawled across Peter's bed were newspaper clippings listing part time job offerings in Gotham. Of course, whenever Aunt May knocked, he had to frantically scatter all the papers in case she found out what he was doing but otherwise he managed to find a few jobs he could manage such as pizza delivery at Dominos and much to his surprise, cashier at McDonalds. How something as colourful as McDonalds made its way to Gotham, Peter didn't know. But he figured it probably got robbed every other Tuesday.

Aunt May knocked the door and Peter shoved his papers into his desk drawer. "What's up?"

"Peter," Aunt May called, her voice muffled by the door. "The Wayne boy is here. Says he came here to pick you up."

"Oh shit," Peter mumbled under his breath. He had been so caught up with finding a job he had forgotten to put his socks on.

"Tell him to come in!" Peter called out to Aunt May. "I still have to get ready."

Aunt May sighed. Even though they were separated by a door Peter could still imagine the exasperated look on her face and her hands on her hip, a pose that almost always said 'I'm not mad, just disappointed.'

"Peter Parker," Aunt May said. "All you had to do was put on some socks."

Peter searched under his bed. "I know, I know," Peter replied.

"The shoes are in a box right outside your door," May said.

And sure, enough they were. Some fancy branded shoes that Aunt May had bought despite Peter's objections. Looking at them made Peter feel guilty (again). She had spent her money on those shoes just for this party, even though they had rent to pay. Peter told himself he would never take her for granted again.

"I know," Peter said.

"You better be ready by the time I open the door for your friend," May said.

Peter smiled. Good old Aunt May. He went underneath his bed, shuffling around spare web fluid cartridges, his sewing kit and for some reason he found his Captain America action figure Ben had given to him as a kid before finally feeling the silky goodness of a warm pair of socks.

"Good evening Mrs. Parker," Dick said as the door creaked open. "Peter didn't tell me had such a pretty Aunt."

He could imagine Aunt May's smile. "What a charmer," Aunt May said. "Peter is still busy with some science thing. You know how he is. But I can give you some tea if you want."

"Oh no, it's fine..." their voices trailed off as Peter dragged out the pair of socks. One a nice formal shade of brown, the other...

White with multi-coloured stars dotting the surface.

Peter groaned.

"Pretty quaint place you got here Mrs. Parker," Dick said.

Aunt May laughed. "Oh, you don't have to be so nice Mr. Wayne."

"The surname's Grayson," Dick said. "Mr. Grayson. But please call me Richard."

"Ok, Richard," Aunt May said, Peter could hear tea pouring into a cup. "This place, to put it lightly is crap."

Richard laughed. "I didn't expect you to say that Mrs. Parker."

Aunt May chuckled. "This old lady is still full of surprises."

"Well compared to Wayne Manor," Dick said. "This place is a paradise. I'd take this place over Bruce on my throat any day."

"Well maybe you should trade places with us," May said. "We'd gladly take the manor."

Dick laughed. "It would teach Bruce some humility that's for sure."

Peter let out a quite "Aha!" as he found the other brown sock.